TV Distribution

[bomberman]

Hi Peeps


I'm looking at sorting out the TV distribution in the loft as I'm getting interference from a taxi firms radio or security firm and also poor picture quality at times.

I currently have:

2 Satellite cables running to my sky plus box
1 Cable from the Sky Plus Box into a loft SLX amplifier RF2 for Sky Link
1 Cable from my terrestrial aerial into another SLX amplifier and then into the 8 way SLX box
5 Cables from the SLX amplifier to my TV's

Having searched around for the best solution I'm a little stumped i.e. what cable should I use (RG6, PF100, Sat100, CX100) noting that I have terrestrial and satellite and if I could change the distribution system. The reason I have two amplifiers is that without the second one for the terrestrial tv, the picture quality is very poor. The aerial was fitted some 8 years ago so imagine it's not digi proof??? but I can get some digital channels.


Any info would be appreciated.

Cheers

B

[MajorFU]

Trouble with amplifiers is they amplify the interference I have just the 1 and have no probs at all.

My set up is pretty simple, 1 aeriel on the roof fitted 10 years ago which runs to my old vcr then to a sky box then to the 4 way booster. Its just a daisy chain using fly leads.

Every output gets sorted digi tv signal and whatever plays on the sky box or vcr. Then i run a seperate eye cable only to me bedroom un-boosted.

Also try and amplify near the source rather than the target. Booster is right next to the sky box in my case.

I've never really subscribed to having all the wiring terminate in the loft for wired distributed systems, sounds good in practice but extends the cable run from source to target way too far imo. You're better off trying wireless.

[bomberman]

Trouble with amplifiers is they amplify the interference I have just the 1 and have no probs at all.

I've never really subscribed to having all the wiring terminate in the loft for wired distributed systems, sounds good in practice but extends the cable run from source to target way too far imo. You're better off trying wireless.

Hi MajorFU

With only one amp the signal is really poor, hence using two. Can you recommend a better amp?

Any recommendations on the wireless front, but to be honest I don't want to spend a fortune.

Cheers

B

[coin-op]

Hi MajorFU

With only one amp the signal is really poor, hence using two. Can you recommend a better amp?


B

I wouldn't bbe looking for a better amp, Id be wanting a better aerial, for the previous reasons. If your signal starts of half decent you can get away with amplifying it. If it's shit to start with you just get amplified shit.

[MajorFU]

yup havce to agree get the antena sorted first once you have a clean signal the boosted results will be very good for digi.

If you already have wiring in the loft then I suggest use that to provide signal to every room via a X port booster then run seperate sky eye to whichever room straight from the sky box un distributed

whereabout in the UK r u?? I might be able to pop ova if u r local

[bomberman]

yup havce to agree get the antena sorted first once you have a clean signal the boosted results will be very good for digi.

If you already have wiring in the loft then I suggest use that to provide signal to every room via a X port booster then run seperate sky eye to whichever room straight from the sky box un distributed

whereabout in the UK r u?? I might be able to pop ova if u r local

Hi MajorFU

Thanks for the info. I phoned the company who installed the original aerial who said I live in a poor area for reception and my aerial's not digital. However I should still receive some channels and the upgrade aerial is £169.99 provided he can connect in my loft.......

The picture quality is OK most of the time when run via the amp, I just get the odd glitch with the picture quality. I also get several times a day the picture goes grainy and a twit is talking on my TV about picking someone up or trying to call sombody. I contacted OFCOM (think is was them anyway) and they said they would investigate and see if someonos radio signal is too strong. But if they can't identify them or find a problem they will charge. Havn't taken this any further.

My thoughts were to change the cable and try and rearrange the amps and if necassry change the amp. I've currently got a Tesco own brand and SLX 8 way amp.

Any thoughts would be appreicted as to wether I should change the cables etc??

Thanks for the offer, i'm in Essex for my sins...

B

[MajorFU]

I've driven further, I dont mind helping out but am not good with ladders and heights. Antenas are very easy to fit and allign compared to dishes, i did mine just by looking at the 1 across the road, pointing in roughly the same direction and shouting to a m8 on the pic/signal quality while making the final adjustments

The wiring is again really straight forward stuff as long as you have a simple topology and keep runs to the minimum.

The booster should only need the gain to cover the split loss rather than poor source signal so the tesco 1 albeit sounding a bit ropey should be fine as long as you get the important bit right

Also I have now ditched the older dodgy RF connectors for the ones that now combine with F connectors as they are far more robust.

Argos are great, buy it test it and take it back for a full refund if not up to the challenge:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5352069/Trail/searchtext>AERIEL.htm

[bomberman]

I've driven further, I dont mind helping out but am not good with ladders and heights. Antenas are very easy to fit and allign compared to dishes, i did mine just by looking at the 1 across the road, pointing in roughly the same direction and shouting to a m8 on the pic/signal quality while making the final adjustments

The wiring is again really straight forward stuff as long as you have a simple topology and keep runs to the minimum.

The booster should only need the gain to cover the split loss rather than poor source signal so the tesco 1 albeit sounding a bit ropey should be fine as long as you get the important bit right

Also I have now ditched the older dodgy RF connectors for the ones that now combine with F connectors as they are far more robust.

Argos are great, buy it test it and take it back for a full refund if not up to the challenge:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5352069/Trail/searchtext>AERIEL.htm

Hi MajorFU,

Thanks for the offer, that's really kind of you. I'm now going to buy an aerial and ridge ladder kit and will fit a new aerial as this will be cheaper that £170. Can you recommend a cable for both systems, I''ll also use the F type plugs now.

Thanks

B

[urbsy]

I've just had a new digital aerial fitted, wired into an existing amp in the loft, including a pole it cost £99 all in m8.

[bomberman]

I've just had a new digital aerial fitted, wired into an existing amp in the loft, including a pole it cost £99 all in m8.

Hi Urbsy

I've just had another two quotes, £155 plus £2-3 for the cable and £190....

Where do you live for this price?

Thanks

B

[urbsy]

Hi Urbsy

I've just had another two quotes, £155 plus £2-3 for the cable and £190....

Where do you live for this price?

Thanks

B

Just outside Leeds m8, I do rent an industrial unit out to the satellite dealer who fitted it tbh, but as far as I'm aware that's the usual price.

[bomberman]

Just outside Leeds m8, I do rent an industrial unit out to the satellite dealer who fitted it tbh, but as far as I'm aware that's the usual price.

It must be an Essex thing...Looks like i'll be fitting myself as this is the best option. Can get Life Insurance for day lol....

B